Yakrut Karma in Post-Covid Sequelae: An Integrative Review

Abstract

Post-COVID syndrome presents with a wide range of persistent symptoms, including fever, fatigue, hypertension, anorexia, digestive ailments, body aches, nausea, and malnutrition. According to Ayurveda, all these manifestations closely resemble the classical symptoms of Rasa Dhatu Dushti. When the quality of Rasa is compromised, its successive transformation into Rakta Dhatu is hindered, predisposing to disturbances in the blood tissue and related metabolic domains, with the Yakrut presenting as the primary site of dysfunction. This review analyses post-COVID sequelae in the framework of Yakrut Karma and Rasa–Rakta Dhatu Dushti, investigating how persistent changes in Rasa Dushti after COVID can result in underlying Rakta Dushti, which ultimately presents as liver damage. Modern clinical findings such as higher liver enzyme levels, metabolic disturbances, and persistent inflammation correlate with the Ayurvedic overview of impaired Yakrut Karma, indicating altered liver function and metabolism. An effort has been undertaken to connect recent scientific evidence with traditional interpretations of Dhatu imbalance, highlighting the importance of Ayurveda in assessing liver health following COVID-19.